Drum circles
Music always brings people together. Playing music and creating a rhythm together creates magic within a very short amount of time. Devi or Edith is trained as a drum circle facilitator since 2017. She has facilitated numerous drum circles in and around Seremban on various occasions including during a Rotary event which was attended by the Yang Di Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir and his consort Tuanku Aishah Rohani.
How Does Drumming Help Children?
Drumming is a fundamental element used in music therapy to help children with special needs. Children who have difficulty expressing themselves, issues with communication or social skills can benefit from drumming either in a therapy setting or a drum circle setting.. Below are five main benefits that can be found when children with special needs participate in a drum circle.
Motor Skill Improvement/ Hand-Eye Coordination
Children with special needs can have trouble with developing motor skills or with hand-eye coordination. With drumming, a child is given mallets as a tool to develop such skills. When more than one drum is used, a child is learning how to use mallets which will develop movement, fine motor skills and grasping among other aspects.
Communication and Speech
Drumming can also be used as a tool to promote communication and speech. Albert Knapp & Associates’ music therapist John Mew uses drumming as a way to promote speech and communication through the beat. By using the drumming sound, children can learn how to say words and even phrases and sentences over time during musical therapy.
Impulse Control Techniques
To improve impulse control, drumming is used to provide a calmer state of mind. Children are encouraged to express their emotions during the drumming sessions, essentially, getting all out that they need to.
Social Skills
Developing social skills is essential to a happy and healthy life. A child with special needs can take part in musical therapy involving drumming in a group setting to be able to strengthen social skills. During a group session, children will have to listen and pay attention, taking part in sharing as well as taking turns. Children learn how to take cues from each other to improve upon their social skills.
Having fun and improving self-esteem
Drumming is fun. Children of all ages love to make sounds from a drum and this technique has long proven a great one in musical therapy. Children have fun and improve their self-esteem at the same time to become more confident in their daily life.
Source: http://www.mewsicmoves.com/blog/5-benefits-of-drumming-for-children-with-special-needs